Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Haute Historian. Peace, Love & Fashion

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine
 
Bell bottoms, baby doll tops, maxi dresses and psychedelic tie dye; the 1960’s are calling and they want their fashions back. This August marked the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, a three day concert that encapsulated the hippie movement of peace, love and music. And wouldn’t you know it? - the summer of 2009 has celebrities and fashionistas alike commemorating the anniversary by wearing fashions as if in honor of the festival and the times. But unlike the hippies from the 60’s whose favorite stores included the Salvation Army, their local resale shop and material and craft stores, today’s hippies are nabbing their looks straight from the runway.

Like most fashion movements that begin on the streets, hippies from the sixties were openly boycotting the conventional. Most were against the Vietnam War, some adopted Eastern philosophies and religions (including Yoga) and others embraced the Native American ideals which included the love of the earth, not to mention their beautiful jewelry and bead work. The hippies’ lifestyle also embraced sex, drugs and rock and roll. These characteristics brought together created a unique look for all and what once was a small group of individuals quickly expanded into an international lifestyle and mainstream fashion movement. Women wore their hair down, often wearing flowers in it; loose flowing dresses of vibrant colors, usually self tie dyed; jeans, since they were more than likely bought second hand were shabby and tattered and dresses, too, were loose and flowing for optimal comfort.

Read more "Peace, Love & Fashion" here.

Haute Historian. Hip to His Threads

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

An ex-boyfriend of mine once owned a yellow Lacoste cardigan sweater. Whenever he wore it he reminded me of dreamboat Jake Ryan from the 1984 movie, Sixteen Candles. Not that he actually looked like Jake, but he did pull off the preppy look very nicely and, what can I say, having grown up in the 80’s I’ve always been a sucker for peg leg jeans on guys. Now I say that an ex-boyfriend of mine once owned a yellow Lacoste cardigan because I know he no longer has it… I do.

The first time I wore the sweater was for necessity, I was cold and it was near by so I put it on. The next time I wore the sweater I attempted to imitate his look, peg leg jeans and all. The sweater was obviously much bigger on me so my attempted preppy look came across a bit more slouchy, but I loved the look none-the-less and will still wear that outfit for lazy days or when I’m running errands around town. And it seems as if I am not the only one who likes the idea of wearing my boyfriends' clothing not only for necessity, but for fashion as well. For years now clothing companies have marketed “boyfriend” jeans, sweaters and even underwear to women. Now you don’t even have to have a boyfriend to wear his clothing.

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Haute Historian. Red, White and McCardell

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

Oh the joys of celebrating Independence Day! What American doesn’t enjoy a long weekend spent drinking beer around the barbecue, listening to a ball game and playing a game of bean bag toss (or something as equally as mindless)? And while some American’s were honoring our forefathers for making the holiday possible, I was silently thankful for Claire McCardell. Claire, who was named by Life magazine in 1990 as one of the most influential American’s of the 20th Century, was the driving force behind the development of what American fashion is today.

Born in 1905 in Franklin, Maryland, Claire McCardell was to become the main influencer for the modern American sportswear designer. Whether it was the casual, yet chic Ralph Lauren sundress you wore to the picnic last weekend or the Michael Kors clean cut slacks that you relaxed in at the baseball game or even the Calvin Klein bathing suit you caught some rays in by the pool, the stylish and comfortable American style you were looking to convey originated from Claire’s designs from the 1940’s and 50’s.

While Claire initially studied at Parsons The New School for Design in New York, she also studied in Paris, where she became inspired by French couture designer, Madeleine Vionnet. Madeleine was famous during the 1930’s for her Grecian style dresses; she used a bias cut which gave her garments a loose, flowing look and feel. Claire immediately fell in love with the bias cut and adapted this technique into her own designs giving her clothing a structured fit, but still allowing the wearer to move with comfort and ease.

Read more "Red, White and McCardell" here.

Haute Historian. A Distressing Fashion Trend

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

Tattered tights and shredded denim seem to be the clothing of choice for young celebrities today, everyone from Miley Cyrus to the Olsen twins are baring portions of their legs. While most of these young fashionistas show up on the worst dressed list or “what we’re they thinking” web posting, the holey jeans trend is sure to be a hot item for this summer. I have a friend who has been on the hunt for the perfect pair for at least a month already, the only problem is that the ones she's longing for are over $200 and she just can't justify the splurge.


Like all trends, why this fashion is emerging now could be for a number of reasons. It could be the cycle of fashions coming back in style. During the late 1970’s and early 1980's wearing distressed clothing began on the streets and was an "anti-fashion" movement which was first worn by those who considered themselves punk. The trend spread and became main stream (or at least more popular) thanks to some punk and rock bands during this time (see Patti Smith). Another reason why this trend is so popular now among the young and wealthy could be that we're in the midst of an economic recession and the rich don't want to come across as having too much money. It wasn't too long ago I read an article where people shopping along Rodeo Drive were requesting regular brown paper bags because they didn't want to walk out carrying one with the designer logo, so the idea isn’t that far fetched.

Read more "A Distressing Fashion Trend" here.

Haute Historian. A Musing Fashion History

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

If you've got a passion for fashion like I do, you've probably already poured over the pics from last week's Gala Benefit for the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. You‚ have more than likely oohed, aahed and possibly even cringed (see the Chanel Haute Couture number) at what the celebrities wore. And if you're anything like me, you've already dreamt up an elaborate design that you would have worn if you were lucky enough to attend. But let's face it, if you or I would have attended, we wouldn't have designed a dress for ourselves but a well-know and fabulous designer (preferably Alexander McQueen for me) would have. And maybe he would have even designed a dress especially for me, since the spring 2009 Costume Institute's exhibition is entitled: The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion. The Met's Web site describes it as exploring "the reciprocal relationship between high fashion and the evolving ideals of beauty, focusing on iconic fashion models in the latter half of the 20th century." A model I am not, however there is a possibility (albeit slim) that I could be a designer's muse (a girl can dream, can't she?). For almost every designer needs a point of inspiration for their creation and probably has an individual in mind when coming up with their latest collection. Even the first known fashion designer, Charles Frederick Worth had his muse, and wouldn't you know it, he married her.

Read more "A Musing Fashion History" here.

Haute Historian. Sporty Chic

Bonnie J. Brown for Second City Style Magazine

Pull out your old Swatch Watch and LeSportsac fanny pack because, as Olivia Newton John once sang, it’s time to get “Physical.” But, lucky for us, we don’t necessarily have to renew our gym membership in order to sport the athletic look since spandex, hoodies and draw-string pants have gone from comfy and stead to comfy and fabulous. Everyone from Balenciaga to John Galliano have infused their spring collections with a bit of sporty zest. Stella McCartney is still lending her designing hand to LeSportsac and Adidas again this season. With all the Lycra, spandex and cotton blends being used it doesn’t take much of an imagination to recall a time when headbands and legwarmers were all the rage back in the early 1980’s.

Unlike today, the sporty trend of the 1980’s hit the public at every angle and the sport infused fashion wasn’t coming from the runway. Women were inspired by what they saw in the movies like 1983's“Flashdance” where they tried to impersonate the look of dancers who wore tights and headbands or 1980's“Fame” which immortalized the one-shouldered sweatshirt and legwarmers. Women were also watching the music video “Physical” and workout tapes like Jane Fonda’s, both of which featured thin women wearing leotards. While fashion is intended to make one look great, it is also intended to make people feel comfortable and unfortunately comfort far out weighed the fashion in many of the sporty looks that women wore during this time.

Read more "Sporty Chic" here.

Haute Historian. Fashion's Famous Duo

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

The world is full of famous duos; Las Vegas has, or had as of two weeks ago, Siegfried and Roy, kids have Ken and Barbie (happy 50th birthday, Barbie!), the 1960’s had Sonny and Cher, the ballroom dance floor had Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, and fashion has Badgley Mischka. Mark Badgley and James Mischka, the famous fashion duo who have been designing together since the late 1980’s are celebrating their 20 year anniversary with a large scale advertisement that you’ll be able to see on the glossy pages of all high-end fashion magazines next month. The famous actresses and models who will be featured in the ad will range from 65 year-old model Lauren Hutton to 26 year-old American Idol winner and all-American country girl Carrie Underwood. The ads will showcase the beauties glammed-out in evening dresses from Badgley Mischka's upcoming 2009 collections and couture line and will have a tag-line stating simply: “Badgley Mischka Celebrating Two Decades of Glamour.”

For the past 20 years Badgley Mischka has certainly been adding glamour to fashion. Their elegant silhouettes and decadent materials are combined to create dresses women long to wear to black tie events, weddings and on the red carpet. But, what sets Badgley Mischka’s dresses apart from all the other evening looks is that simplicity is key to their designs. Maybe it’s the fact that both designers are from the Midwest and understand that everyday women want to look glamorous but don’t always have the time.

Read more "Fashion's Famous Duo" here.

Haute Historian. Fit To Be Draped

Bonnie J Brown

The white, one shoulder, Jason Wu dress Michelle Obama wore on inauguration night is still on the lips of many stylephiles even a week after the event took place. Some love it, others hate it, but I can honestly say that I’m rather indifferent to it. While it looks like Jason Wu had every intention of creating a dress that hugs the female form and drapes in all the right places, he ended up instead with a dress that is just hanging there; and if you’re creating a one shoulder dress it should do anything but just hang.

The obvious origin of the one shoulder dress comes from the toga and many a Greek and Roman goddess are seen swathed in sheets of gauzy materials; the female form is celebrated in drapes and layers and it looks all completely effortless. But, as any designer is sure to tell you, draping is an art and it can be quite difficult to make a flowing, draped dress look effortless and still phenomenal. Just look at all the work Rami, a la Project Runway - Season 4, put into his designs. And while his talents were great, they do not compare to the beautiful dresses created by Madame Gres.

Madame Gres, born Germaine Emilie Krebs and also known as Alix Barton, dressed many fashionable women during her career, including Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich and even Jacqueline Kennedy, to name a few. She is known for being the last haute couture house to create a ready-to-wear line, but she is remembered for creating beautifully draping dresses.

Read more "Fit to Be Draped" here.

Haute Historian. Happy Whimsical New Year

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

New Years, what a wonderful holiday! It’s one of the oldest holidays we still celebrate and when I say “we” I mean everyone; every race, culture, religion, creed, country…everyone. It’s a time for new beginnings, resolutions, reflections, and best of all, celebrations. After the stress and hustle of the Christmas Season it’s nice to sit back with a glass of champagne and look forward to a new and glorious new year. While there are a million and one ways to ring in the New Year and everyone has their own traditions, for a lot of people, including my friends and I, it includes wearing the perfect party dress. The New Year’s Eve dress should incorporate all that the holiday stands for and reflect the excitement of the event. For such an occasion only one designer comes to mind, Betsey Johnson. Betsey Johnson’s designs are whimsical and over the top with bright colors, bold patterns and great movement and have been since her first collection back in the 1960s.

Betsey is strongly influenced by her life’s experiences. Growing up she was a dancer and it was here where her love of costumes developed. It is with this appreciation that she is able to create dresses that bring the wearer’s fantasies alive. Another huge influence that is reflected through her designs comes from her time spent with artist, Andy Warhol and model/actress, Edie Sedgwick. This connection, along with her relationship with husband of the time, Jacob Cale of the music group Velvet Underground, led her to be a prominent designer for the youthquake fashion movement.

Read more "Happy Whimsical New Year" here.

Haute Historian. Fashion in the White House

Bonnie J Brown for Second City Style Magazine

Let’s just for a second play six degrees of separation with soon to be First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. It’s easy enough and, as you may be able to guess, it will lead to a much loved topic of mine, fashion.

Degree 1: Michelle Obama wore a stunning red and black Narciso Rodriguez dress during last Tuesday night’s election rally.

Degree 2: Narciso Rodriguez designed Caroline Bessette-Kennedy’s wedding dress in 1996.

Degree 3: Caroline Bessette-Kennedy was married to John F. Kennedy, Jr.

Degree 4: John F. Kennedy, Jr. is the son of former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy.

So I fibbed a bit, it was four degrees not six, but who’s counting when you have two first ladies who are connected through fashion? While it is entirely too early and completely debatable whether or not Michelle Obama is in the running to be a future fashion icon or not, it is not to soon to look at Jackie Kennedy and see how her clothing choices brought fashion into the White House.

It may be hard to imagine, but fashion today is not what it was in 1960’s America. American women, while concerned with how they looked, had many more concerns then which designer labels to wear and which not. One reason for this was most fashion houses and designers were still in Europe and hardly any here in the U.S., putting designer fashion far from one’s mind. However, Jackie Kennedy was not an American born woman, she was French. Being born French and wearing French designers is great if you’re an every day French woman, but not when it’s 1961 and you’re the First Lady of the United States, that is, in fact, a big no-no. So as to not create a great big ruckus for herself or the president, Jackie gave up her much beloved Hubert de Givenchy gowns (for most of the time, at least) and hired French-American designer, Oleg Cassini to create her wardrobe as first lady.

Read more "Fashion in the White House" here.